Historically, there are about a half dozen America piano manufacturers that built Steinway caliber instruments; Baldwin, Mason and Hamlin, Knabe, Chickering, Sohmer, and to a slightly lesser degree, and for reasons I will not get into at this time, Charles Walter and Everett.
From nuts and bolts and overall fit and finish perspective, not to mention the quality of tone and feel, each of these brands represented the highest quality available in the United States and were roughly similar in quality of materials and construction.
The two brands that really gave Steinway a run for their money were Baldwin and Mason and Hamlin. Baldwin in particular gained traction in the market place with innumerable pianists. Pop, jazz, and classical musicians chose Baldwin over Steinway in many instances. Who can forget Liberace’s rhinestone piano seen here:
A new model M 5’7” Steinway parlor grand in Tampa sells for over $70,000. A Steinway & Sons model M in Tampa, FL, in the same condition and age of this Baldwin pictured here would sell for $30,000. This 5’7” model R Baldwin of the same size is being offered for sale at the astonishing price of just $9500!
